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How Businesses Can Counter Facebook’s Algorithm Change
The User Experience
While pages are bemoaning this issue, Facebook is standing by its longstanding promise to provide a social media platform that works best for their users. This usually comes whether there has been an outcry or not from the users. Facebook contends that this new algorithm will ensure that fans are only getting news from popular websites and from pages the user frequents. While this measure is an admirable gesture, this also limits the user from being able to find new sources of information and interests unless the page pays to appear there.
A fair point in Facebook’s defense is that the social media giant has sworn to remain free to their users. However, no such commitment was ever made to businesses and pages. After many attempts to stifle the over saturation of marketing posts from pages a user has liked over the years Facebook has finally found a way to squash the influx. The question then becomes this: Did Facebook do this for the benefit of the user experience or to pad its pockets further? Furthermore, does Facebook care what anyone thinks about the issue?
After rolling out countless changes to large amounts of negative fanfare the answer appears to be ‘no’. With this move it seems to be that Facebook is finally letting pages know that the days of free social media promotion on their site are over. It’s time to pay up or fade away from your target audience.
Youth Social Media Usage
While this is a wise business decision for Facebook, capitalizing on a profitable facet of the website, the timing may not be. Unless a company or page is aiming towards an older demographic, or Facebook-specific theme, this may be the definitive sign that it is time to evolve for many businesses. In evolutionary terms, we could be seeing more brands leaving the water and setting foot on the now fertile lands of social media for the first time in their existence.
If not involved in marketing and social media management, you may not know what lies beyond the traditional platforms. Facebook still holds strong as the overwhelmingly top choice in social media (roughly 900 million users). Yet, competition from Pinterest, Google Plus, Tumblr and others are starting to be waged.
When looking at younger demographic usage statistics a shift away from Facebook is even more clear. In a recent Forbes piece on surveyed teenagers in 30 countries, “…they revealed that the number of teenagers claiming to be active on Facebook (ie. doing more than just “liking” a separate page on the web) had dropped to 56% in the third quarter of 2013, from 76% in the first.” The Netherlands led the way in decline at 52%. U.S. teens only declined by 16%.
Fertile Social Media Land
The shift is sending teens and college aged users towards mobile apps like SnapChat, WeChat, Kik, and other similar services. These apps are almost impossible to tap into from a marketing perspective. Yet, the landscape is very broad.
In regards to the microblogging platform Tumblr, any type of marketing can be done from a traditional blog to an eye catching clothing store. Twitter allows those creative enough to engage on a personal level in short messages the ability to go viral with a marketing tweet.
The biggest grab can be had from one the Internet’s top traffic source: Reddit. The once underground message board-like website now is one of the top providers of news. If a marketer is clever enough to know where to target content (don’t worry, other Redditors will be quick to point out if you are in the wrong area) they can reach a global community in seconds. The best part about these services is that they embrace are what Facebook has just taken off the table: free reach.
Large companies like Nike, Apple and any other big brand you can think of will probably be ponying up to Facebook’s boost plan. However, it remains to be seen what the smaller pages will be doing. For example, will a local restaurant with a fan tally around 1,500 people pay a few dollars to make sure their page is reached? Maybe. Judging from experience, many of these companies still don’t understand the importance of social media and its marketing power. They may just decide that it’s time to call it a day, or stay the course until something new comes about.
While this antiquated way of doing business is not suggested a decent percentage of pages will most likely do this. For the other pages not willing to pay, it is high time for them to take their first steps on land and see what the world of social media has to offer them and their audience.
Why 60,000 Tech Workers May Soon Deservedly Cash In
Tech giants Google, Apple and several other companies recently lost a significant hearing that will allow 60,000 tech workers from as far back as 2005 to sue as a group for wages lost in a massive wage-fixing scandal. The scandal stems from a deal between Apple and Google over recruiting practices between the two companies.
While many of the lesser featured companies named have settled, many dollars and companies still remain. With strength in numbers through a class action lawsuit, the workers will now be able to pursue the companies for higher values than they could as individuals. Before the case gets brought to trial, let’s take a look at how this came to pass.
How It All Went Down
The fix began back in 2005 after an agreement between Google’s Eric Schmidt and Apple’s Steve Jobs detailed the dos and don’ts of hiring. The pact was reached after Apple became angered over Google’s recruiting of top Apple talent. This anger was only furthered due to Google’s reputation for driving recruitment and incentives, both of which drove salary demands for workers in Silicon Valley.
The plan included an agreement where the companies vowed to share hiring policies as well as wage information to suppress the growth of salaries during the tech industries booming mid-2000s years. Later, Schmidt informed a top official, Shona Brown, to reference the agreement, “verbally, since I don’t want to create a paper trail over which we can be sued later…”
With similar agreements being had between eBay and then CEO Meg Whitman, it became apparent that there was a massive conspiracy amongst many companies. These started to come to surface during an Obama administration backed investigation from the Department of Justice that has been described as an “overarching conspiracy.” This has brought action from the federal level as well as from the state of California. All of this became easier to sort out once the verbal trail reverted to email exchanges became more and more companies being looped into the illegal pact.
However, before all this could come to light emails detailed how other companies were looped into the mix,including Adobe. What started to form was a tit-for-tat type of recruiting threat. If a company did not agree to back off from recruiting top talent and officials their company would be free grounds to be poached by the companies in the agreement.
Instead of facing a potential mass exodus to these companies, the new companies joined in to keep their employees without having to pay salaries in line with demand and the market. This would only grow through the years as the Valley’s close knit group of executives continued to speak.
As the pact snowballed to include several top companies (Facebook being one of the few to decline) the DoJ and those first key engineers became key in seeking the money lost through the deception. Companies are now agreeing that they will not inform “rivals” that they are offering positions to those employees. Beyond that, “cold calling” companies will now be back in play as companies seek talent. Hopefully another fix won’t be in soon.
What Happens Now
In short, a class action suit. The once five-person suit will now reach close to 60,000 in a bid to recover the $9 billion lost over the last decade. By going into a class action suit, the workers can not only seek a higher value, but also do it at a lower cost. As many companies will most likely be settling, it will be interesting to see what kind of repayment will make it to the deserving workers.
Some from outside of the situation have been saying this is an issue where well compensated workers are going to get more money. However, this is a matter of fair play and fair value. With this case heading to court, Silicon Valley is receiving a message that this type of action is not allowed. Regardless of their salaries, these workers had their true value and opportunities suppressed.
What remains to be seen is if this is the end of these types of scandals. As the tech industry faces another scandal, Silicon Valley’s reputation takes another hit in the public eye. As is the case with most CEOs, this probably does not matter much to them.
Will the public take up arms on this issue? Baring a major revelation, not much more than it has. Unless criminal charges are filed or these tech giants bottom dollars begin to decline, not much else will change. Ideally, fair hiring practices will be the norm and the true value of these talented individuals will be had going forward.
However, with rampant claims and findings of wrongdoing in the industry, what is actually trustworthy? Is the tech industry any different than other massive sectors of the business world? As more scandals come to light, it seems that the answer is no. Here’s hoping that another email chain hasn’t already started.
“Software substitution, whether it’s for drivers or waiters or nurses…it’s progressing…Technology over time will reduce demand for jobs, particularly at the lower end of skill set… 20 years from now, labor demand for lots of skill sets will be substantially lower. I don’t think people have that in their mental model.” – Bill Gates
Microsoft founder Bill Gates’ recent prediction that nearly half of American’s current jobs will be replaced by robots has many scared, and justifiably so. While this technological breakthrough is exciting news, the majority of the workforce faces an uncertain future.
Americans have faced outsourcing woes for years already. However, an insourcing to competition they have never faced could significantly shape the landscape of the workforce. While this outlook could be bleak for many, economists and tech experts have predicted that at least three groups of human works will benefit. In the last fifteen years, owners have seen a return of their revenue with this practice coming more into execution.
This probably does not soothe many of your woes. The next to see benefits will be the inventors that create new goods and services that will benefit the public. With robotic assistance, these inventions can be created at a lesser cost and at higher efficiency.
Yet, for most, the last to benefit are the most important: the skilled workers. While this may seem like a slight to the “less skilled”, it actually applies to the jobs that a robot probably can’t replace for a while, or at all. This does not mean that because you have a job that requires a college degree you are safe. Let’s take a look at just a few of these human jobs that may be first to face replacement.
Telemarketing
Of the many jobs to fall, telemarketing is one that can already be cited for their diminishing human workforce. Over the past few years many of you have continued to receive the phone calls you almost never want to hear. Of those phone calls, how many have been human? As TIME points out, even the voices that sounds humanmay not be. While this is not a good sign for the telemarketers of the U.S and the world, can companies be blamed for this shift?
Humans are not fans of these calls, and the innocent humans doing their job usually face the brunt of the anger while trying to make a living. This often results in dissatisfied employees and customers. With a robotic telemarketer, the call will be placed with pitch perfect tone and friendliness, no matter the frustration coming from the other line.
The only drawback to this may be the frustrated recipient of the call messing with the system by asking questions the telemarketer isn’t programmed to answer. Still, given that most users will likely have similar problems to each other, it seems to only be a matter of when this change officially happens.
Cargo/Material Moving
Another job facing absolute certainty of replacement to computerized workers will be the moving industry. While taking the grueling task of heavy moving from humans is beneficial to their bodies, it is still a job being taken away.
This sector of the workforce has seen machinery taking their jobs for virtually as long as moving has been in demand. No one complained when heavy lifting was replaced with forklifts and other machinery. Yet, will the silence extend to when robots are doing your home or office moving? That remains to be seen.
Ground Transportation
Self-driving cars have already entered the U.S. With Google’s driverless car, Google Chauffeur, being road tested in 2012, Americans saw their own driving becoming a potential thing of the past. If this initiative expands beyond Google and our personal vehicles expansion with buses, taxis and other similar forms of ground transportation are sure to follow. This will eliminate the need for many drivers and conductors. As with every job loss, the unfortunate news is that people will lose the jobs they have worked hard at for many years. Yet, the advancement of a humanless driving system could see a huge potential.
By combining maps of the world with their own laser radar system, these cars know exactly where to go. The possibility of error remains as with all technology. Yet the removal of human error and factors such as drunk driving could vastly outweigh the job losses. With Google’s vehicles having $150,000 worth of equipment in each vehicle, this may take some time.
Air Transportation
With technological advances in air travel already well-established, a significant amount of air travel is already done by computers. While this is true, let’s remember the human aspect of piloting is still quite integral to the success of every flight. In many cases these advancements in technology have allowed for almost the entire flight to be a virtually hands off experience for the pilots. However, could a computer or robot pull off the incredibly challenging emergency landing in the Hudson River that Captain Chesley Sullenberger performed? While possible, it has not been seen to date.
With many pilots (depending on which airline employs them) being subjects of heavy hours and minimal pay, this change may be welcome. While the dream of flying is still alive in the hearts of these workers, it may be time to hand the reigns off to a computer.
Accountant
Pardon the pun, but taxing data entry positions could be one of the more surprising positions to be facing a computerized future sooner than later. With smart algorithms, accountants, underwriters, and other similar positions face an almost 100% certainty of this future.
Human error from a heavy workloads and tight deadlines can result in frustrating audits and the wrong outcome for several individuals and companies. Humans will still be needed to put the correct information to make the algorithms work to their desired outcome. However, the days of staring across a desk hoping to hear the good word on your tax return might soon sound a bit more robotic in the coming years.
In early March, NASA submitted its 2015 budget request that is sure to face quite a bit of scrutiny from Congress and the public alike. The budget proposal comes in at 1% less than 2014′s proposal of $17.5 billion dollars, a record for the program to date. With an additional $900 million coming via the White House’s newly launched Opportunity, Growth & Security Initiative, the total request reaches $18.4 billion dollars.
As Bolden further clarified, “This budget ensures that the United States will remain the world’s leader in space exploration and scientific discovery for years to come.” This budget will allow for the biggest programs to essentially remain in the same working order as the previous year while NASA can focus on the future, something that has been emphasized for years.
While the proposal has many interesting details to explore, there are quite a few points that stand out above all else. Conversely, there are other key points from previous proposals that will not see much progress barring help for partners in the projects. A main point that was not clarified is the potentially $2 billion dollar asteroid redirection mission that would take a small asteroid off its course, bringing it to lunar space where it could be explored further by 2025.
While other key factors of the mission were clarified, this omission probably won’t ease the concerns on Capitol Hill. Beyond this mission NASA provided clarity to many other facets of their program that will be involved in their new proposal. Here are five key areas highlighted by NASA.
Space Launch System (SLS)
First, $2.8 billion of the proposal will go towards the heavy-lift rocket and its deep-space crew capsule, Orion. This year’s proposal comes in at about $300 million less than the previous year’s dedication to the system. Both of these features are scheduled to make their debut in 2017 via an unmanned test flight run. This voyage would reach lunar space.
If all goes to plan, a crewed exploration would begin in 2021. What will be interesting to see regarding both the SLS and Orion is their involvement in the asteroid redirection mission. With the SLS being considered the perfect vehicle to conduct the mission, this could be the groundwork to warming the frigid response the mission has received so far.
SOFIA May Be No More
One potential cut to NASA’s ongoing plans would be its airborne infrared telescope. The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) telescope faces a doomed fate unless the partner in the project, the German Aerospace Center, can provide more funding.
The downside to SOFIA being cut is the loss of a key deep space exploration tool. Scientists recently had been observing supernova flight paths that had destroyed the Messier 82 galaxy. Unfortunately, this sort of observation appears to not be worth the price tag when other aspects to the future seem more imperative.
Mars Roving To Continue
NASA’s Planetary Science studies would receive close to $1.3 billion in funding, about $65 million less than the previous year. What is exciting about the funding will be the ability to continue funding for a new sample-caching rover that will allow samples from Mars to be brought back and studied. This would be an advancement from the Curiosity rover that is currently in use on Mars. The new rover would be based off the Curiosity design, with a scheduled launch in 2020. This new exploration would begin searching for signs of past life and habitability, which may come in handy if we continue depleting our own natural resources.
Another exciting feature would be the rover’s ability to dig up rock samples and store them for future retrieval. The task of bringing the samples back to Earth would require the use of another spacecraft. While it is not perfect, progress is being made toward understanding the Red Planet.
One major debate to watch as this develops is the new rover’s limited scientific instruments, a necessity due to its need for sample-caching. Co-founder of The Mars Society, Robert Zurbin, said, “I think if we’re going to have a Curiosity duplicate rover in 2020, it should be loaded with instruments to do in situ science.”
Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope
Considered by some to be a top priority for astronomy in the next decade, the survey telescope would be included in the $607 million dollar appropriation to the Astrophysics division of NASA.
About $14 million would go towards preliminary work on the WFIRST as it sets its objectives towards finding dark energy and getting statistics on exoplanets. The project has seen a few changes since it was first studied in 2011. The current design of the telescope, WFIRST-AFTA (Astrophysics Focused Telescope Assets) would use one of the two second-hand telescopes donated by the National Reconnaissance Office, the only known use of the telescopes to date. These telescopes are significantly larger than the first design- the same size as the Hubble Telescope, offering a significantly broader view.
With an estimated launch date in the middle of the next decade, the proposal will keep the project in line. If the launch were to take place by in 2024, findings could be accumulated by 2030.
Mission To Europa
One of the most compelling aspects of the 2015 proposal is sending a submarine to the bottom of the ocean on Jupiter’s massive frozen moon, Europa. In the 2015 proposal, the mission would receive $15 million to conduct the early work on the mission that is described by some as the “Holy Grail” for planetary science.
What lies beneath Europa’s frozen waters has been intriguing scientists ever since those oceans were first discovered. This mission is the main project for the future of NASA. While it will be a while before the mission even has an estimated launch date, it is exciting to see exploration expanding further and further into the solar system.
Your Waiter Might Be Fed Up With Getting Tips – Here’s Why
The long-standing tradition of tipping at U.S. restaurants may be coming to a slow end. As many food service professionals and customers alike begin to hear their voices heard, more owners are considering doing away with the practice. While these restaurants are currently in the vast minority, they could become the example for abolishing tipping if the plan works for all involved. Not surprisingly, there has been some pushback from customers and employees alike.
Doing Away With The Practice
Midtown Manhattan’s Sushi Yasuda has been one of the most prominent restaurants to do away with tipping in their establishment. When owner Scott Rosenberg introduced the idea he had in mind the customer experience. He believed that diners tired of the two-fold end to every dining experience: grading your server and determining how much to leave them. Rosenberg went on to say, “The meal should be there for you to enjoy without doing this calculus.” Since the policy began the restaurant has done away with the tip line on receipts, replacing it with an explanation relating to traditional Japanese restaurant customs. This tradition has long since been carried in other parts of the world, especially in European nations.
While this is an admirable thought, the reasoning goes much deeper. Restaurants and food service chains like Starbucks have come under fire in lawsuits for mishandling pooled tips. While the Starbucks case is still in the courts, it could be a significant factor in shaping the course of thinking for other establishments. Another reason is the livelihoods of the employees. Staff salaries don’t change if business is slow.
Those who have worked as servers have likely lost count of the days (holidays especially) where they and their coworkers languished in empty dining rooms and uneventful kitchens waiting to be “cut” from a five to ten hour shift where they each served a handful of tables all night, at most. At the end of the night the servers would take their meager earnings and then give percentages to bartenders (whether they made drinks or not) and back of the restaurant staff like food porters and runners, both of which make even less for their hard work.
At the end of a slow shift, servers can go home with less than $20 to their name. This is a notorious practice within the large chain restaurants that frequently treat their staff as cogs much more than people. World famous chef Tom Colicchio is considering a practice at his New York establishment that would pay servers close to what they average now. Colicchio explains, “I think it makes perfect sense. I’m not sure my staff is going to think it makes perfect sense.”
Those In Favor Of The Status Quo
Many servers and guests alike are in favor of the system in place. In states such as California, servers make the state minimum wage of $8 an hour or more. These servers are right in wanting to see the system stay in place so that they can make more than the flat-wage system. However, in suburban and rural areas of the country, the current model does not work. Taking a look at the current hourly salaries of each state’s server shows the disparity currently taking place.
On the guest aspect of the issue, one hospitality attorney in New York, Carolyn Richmond, said doing away with tipping could be much harder because of the guest’s mentality. “Even if you changed the server’s mentality toward how they are compensated, it is almost impossible to rewire the American customer who thinks they have to leave ‘something’ at the end of the meal.” This is true in Sushi Yasuda’s case, as servers have had to find those departing guests who still feel the custom of leaving a tip. Yet, many see these reasons for staying the course to weigh much less than the reasons for change.
See Some Change, Not Your Change
The main reason for change is simple: equality. However, this is not just for wage equality and quality of life. Within the restaurant industry lies a vast array of racism attached to tipping, from servers and guests alike. Slate author Brian Palmer explains: “Tipping is a repugnant custom. It’s bad for consumers and terrible for workers. It perpetuates racism.” Palmer further clarified that while there is some truth to the numbers in comparing the tipping tendencies of Caucasian, Hispanic and African-Americans, it is inexcusable regardless, which is correct. Beyond the deplorable perpetuation of racism involved, Palmer explained how quality of service is heavily subjective and rarely as impactful as one would think:
“Tipping does not incentivize hard work. The factors that correlate most strongly to tip size have virtually nothing to do with the quality of service. Credit card tips are larger than cash tips. Large parties with sizable bills leave disproportionately small tips. We tip servers more if they tell us their names, touch us on the arm, or draw smiley faces on our checks. Quality of service has a laughably small impact on tip size. According to a 2000 study, a customer’s assessment of the server’s work only accounts for between 1 and 5 percent of the variation in tips at a restaurant.”
As more Americans are shifting towards lesser tips and flat tipping rates, the time to make the change seems better than ever. If tipping is done away with, guests will most likely see an increase of around 15% to their dining bill to make up for the staff salaries. This may make some worry that quality of service will go down, but this may also be a positive, as servers will not be rushing guests out to gain one more table during the short window dinner rushes. More likely than not, guests also will not be seeing desserts and drinks heavily pushed to them in a blatant attempt at inflating their bill.
From a sociological perspective this would, in hope, reduce racism towards staff and guests as well. In short, the proponents for this change believe quality of life will increase for their hardworking staff, while the guest experience can become more enjoyable, providing a double positive for the industry. In the end, the deciding factor for many owners will be if they see a positive change in their bottom line. With a twofold reasoning to back up the proposal, they might give it a shot.
It remains to be seen if this trend will gain steam in the U.S., but it will be interesting to see how the industry adapts or stays the course. Pardon this former server’s terminology for a moment, but if you asked if it’s time the industry “86′ed” tipping for a flat wage the answer is clear: Without a doubt.
Under Armour founder Kevin Plank is a person that you may not be familiar with unless you are tuned in to the highly competitive athletic apparel industry. The outgoing, proud Fork Union Military Academy Football player loves his home state and the product he began creating and investing in back in 1996. At just 24 years old Plank began a journey that not many could have envisioned leading to this moment. In less than twenty years of operation, Under Armour is now a global brand with deals in college, professional, and Olympic athletics that rival industry mainstays like Nike and Adidas.
The Early Stages Of Success And Struggle
In 1996, Plank launched Under Armour out of his grandmother’s basement in Maryland. Backed by Plank’s personal savings from a small clothing venture and $40,000 worth of credit card debt in Plank’s name, Under Armour was running. In the first year, Under Armour generated sales of $17,000 from its first big sale to Georgia Tech University.
Within a year, Plank would be broke and his company’s future uncertain. He had to act fast. With the prototypes in place he relied on his connections as the captain of the University of Maryland’s football team to get feedback from the demographic he ideally targeted: top flight athletes. As his friends were becoming NFL stars in their own careers, Plank had the ideal subjects to get feedback on what would become ground breaking apparel for the sporting world.
As the harsh reality of business stared down Under Armour, Plank needed to make a sale in a big way. With a reputable Division I university like Georgia Tech on board, the dominos just needed to fall. That key domino would come in the form of 12 NFL teams looking to get involved with the now thriving startup. The second year saw a $100,000 profit from these deals.
That is when the Under Armour train officially left its station. Soon after, more professional clubs were buying Under Armour. Then came the retail chains. Even the Oliver Stone directed Any Given Sunday was getting involved with Plank asking Under Armour to create uniforms for the film in 1998. By millennium’s end, Under Armour was rapidly securing its position as a factor in the athletic apparel industry.
The Future Looks Bright
With a new millennium ushered in, Under Armour continued in its goal of bringing in a new era in sporting. The early 2000s saw national ad campaigns and the brand being carried in over 2,500 retail stores. In six short years, the once basement venture had situated itself as a go to source for top quality apparel. The company has continued to expand where it once seemed never able to go, showing Plank and his team’s ability to adapt to their buyers’ demands.
In 2005, Plank publicly deemed cotton to be the enemy. What was once the enemy of sweat wicking became the catalyst for the about face Plank described Under Armour underwent in 2011. Targeted research revealed that cotton was still the dominate choice for many buyers, including Under Armour’s loyal fan base. Instead of further targeting the “enemy” fiber, Under Armour created its own cotton brand that would wick sweat just like the original shirts the brand created, except in cotton. That ability to adapt then became Under Armour’s successful “Charged Cotton” line.
2013 saw true growth for the brand as they acquired Map My Fitness for $150 million. Furthering the success story is Under Armour’s 35% stock increase in 2013, with an expected revenue of $2.25 billion for the year. Under Armour now employs nearly 6,000 employees, while Plank donates 10% of his own stock profits to his Cupid Foundation. Plank also recently purchased the farm that hosts the famed Preakness horse race in Maryland so that fears of the famed race moving would finally be silenced.
Under Armour also recently began working with the NFL on its Head Health Initiative. As 2013 closed, the days of Under Armour’s doom in that Maryland basement seem light years away. Plank appears to be forming a genuine image as a people’s billionaire while his brand continues to climb to the top of its industry. A quote from Plank perfectly encapsulates how Under Armour did it:
“You need to put your hands around the throat of your business, and you need to run it. There’s no other way.”
How Texas Is Becoming The Silicon Valley Of The South
When most people think about technology in the United States, they probably think of California’s Silicon Valley. While the Golden State is unquestionably home to some of the most innovative and exciting tech companies in the world, it is actually the Lone Star State of Texas that is the most lucrative tech exporter in the United States today. As the TechAmerica Foundation states, “Companies in Texas making semiconductors, telecommunications devices, computers, and other items shipped more than $45 billion in products to other countries in 2012.” This number is on a steady rise, raising $3 billion more than the previous year.
How It Happened
Texas Governor Rick Perry may catch a large amount of grief in and outside his state, but when it comes to business, he appears to have a large following among his constituents. Gov. Perry is a proud proponent of Texas’ business-friendly approach, which leaves companies a little more breathing room when it comes to taxes and cost of living.
When comparing the lives of the average person making a $35,000 income in San Jose, CA and Austin, TX, living in Texas will save a person a pretty considerable sum. Housing in Austin is about 67 percent of what housing costs in Silicon Valley. Utilities are a savings of 27 percent, and transportation stands at 13 percent less. Coupling low taxes and easier living wages made Texas an easy sell from the get-go. In deciding where in America to start a business, Texas’ policies make it hard to top.
Through the Texas Enterprise Fund and Texas Emerging Technology Fund, companies are receiving grants, and research institutes have had almost $194 million dollars invested in them so that innovative technology can be explored and potentially created. With incentives such as these to go along with the lower cost of living in Texas, a move seems like a no-brainer.
Some in California have labeled Texas’ promotion of these incentives as a “cry for help.” Many have hit back at these claims. A recent quote from Texas Republican Rep. Kenny Marchant states Texas’ intentions: “While America stands at the cutting edge of tech trade growth, we must continue building an environment in which entrepreneurship, creativity, and open markets freely flourish.”
The Boom Goes On
Verizon, Texas Instruments, and several other tech companies have headquarters based in the thriving city of Dallas. With IBM, Google, Facebook, and countless others having offices in the state, the presence of big business was already well established in Texas. With a close proximity to Mexico, Texas was able to export $22 billion worth of tech to America’s neighbors to the south. Some critics have claimed this as Texas moving inferior products to Mexico, while Silicon Valley concentrates its efforts on broader global exports. Those detractors seem to be quiet on the issue of the other $23 billion Texas gained in 2012.
In historic San Antonio, business is thriving due to the new industry boom. As Democratic Representative Joaquin Castro stated, “The high tech industry is not only growing in Texas, but it is also yielding thousands of high paying jobs in our state.” Latest numbers show that the tech industry is supporting 331,000 jobs in Texas alone. Furthermore, Texas is responsible for 22% of the nation’s tech manufacturing industry.
As smaller cities like San Antonio and Austin begin to see more of the benefits that their larger in-state counterparts do, it’s hard to see just how far this boom can go. While some have claimed living expenses are already on the rise, the numbers could be too early to tell. However, if the cost of living and manufacturing can stay relatively low, Texas could reign supreme for quite some time.
Where Does It Go From Here?
Expect Austin to be the big winner from the Lone Star State’s massive growth. A city that prides itself on its population of hip individuals with an already established love of technology is a natural fit to be the next destination for domestic industrial growth. In 2012, Apple broke ground in Austin to use the location as “America’s Operations Center.” The title alone should show that Apple means business in Texas. If lip service isn’t enough to win over the doubters, Apple is sinking $304 million dollars into the project. With an estimated completion date of 2021 Austin seems poised to be a tech mainstay, assuming all goes to plan.
Furthering Texas’ cost of living incentive is that the bottom 10% of the Apple employees will be making an average annual salary of $35,000, while contractors receive at least $11 per hour. As long as this wage can change with inflation, this will be another tug on the heart strings of Americans looking to relocate.
With Texas’ numbers rising, it is hard to find anyone that is predicting a decline in the near future. While some on the outside will be complaining about the change in the tech landscape, it should be mentioned that the States has another destination for a progressive industry. Whether you label Texas as Silicon Valley South or not, it’s hard to knock a part of this country thriving at new industries. Just like the stars at night, the future for the tech industry in Texas looks big and bright.
Going into watching Audition, widely considered to be influential Japanese director Takashi Miike’s best film, I had the expectations to be disgusted and disturbed. I’ve read reviews where viewers have fainted, walked out, or thrown up in the theatre. Needless to say it did not disappoint. Or maybe it did, seeing as how it delivered so well.
Audition combines Hitchcock’s style of making the violence clear as happening without actually showing it with the brutality of showing terrible, over the top violence that would make Hostel seem timid. Unlike the U.S. horror films where gore is present throughout Miike builds up to the violence through in-depth, yet quick flashbacks and dream sequences. If someone were to add up and compare the amount of violence in Audition to the more mainstream U.S. films it has inspired it would come up as a much less violent film. But it isn’t the quantity of violence that makes this film disturbing. It’s the quality.
A Toast
Audition is a great horror film that elaborately details the background of its characters. There are many times where you empathize with every main character at some point leading up to the terrible torture of Act Three. It makes the torture even worse because of this. You don’t want to see Shigeharu getting needles shoved into his eyes for the obvious reason that it should make you want to vomit, but also because you know he doesn’t deserve this. This is a true testament to the quality of acting from the entire cast, something that can’t be said for many U.S. horror films.
Beer Two
What keeps this film from being a solid one beer movie is one of its best parts, the editing. The flashbacks and dream sequences are weaved into the film so well that you sometimes lose track of what is happening. In the end the film does explain what all the cuts add up to while leaving room for the viewer to decide if what they were seeing was merely a dream itself or one terrible case of serendipity. The best way to describe this would be calling it a case of too much good in too short a time. It would be like eating four packs of bacon in one breakfast.
Verdict
As a horror film, Audition ranks in the upper echelon. Yet, it also ranks in the Requiem for a Dreamcategory of good films where I feel extremely dirty and want to cry in the shower after watching it. I’d recommend it to people with the extreme caution that it isn’t anything like the horror films that are usually seen in the States. It’s disturbing, it’s brutal, and you may need to walk away from the screen from time to time. All of which make it an excellent film that any horror fan needs to see.
Bonus Drinking Game
Take a drink: every time there is a flashback.
Take a drink: every time you want to mercy kill a character.
Take a shot: whenever you look away from the screen in disgust.
Tarsem Singh’s The Fall is a visually amazing film that came about after four years of filming and shooting in over twenty countries. Landscapes, scenery, and certain camera shots have to rank as some of the best in cinema history. Tarsem sank his own money into the project to avoid any outside creative interruptions. It’s a commendable task, but it does become clear that while the visuals are superb, there are key components to the film that are lacking. Mainly because The Fall is a simple story, cleverly told with an elaborate backdrop trying to compensate.
A Toast
Tarsem claims that The Fall used no special effects. With some of the shots it is almost unbelievable. If it is true then the idea that Chris Nolan didn’t use special effects in the Dark Knight seems like an obvious directorial move and films that are using special effects are taking the easy way out. There is one scene in particular that starts as a close-up shot of a “stony faced priest” that quickly transitions to a white desert. Without revealing its outcome I will say it is my favorite transition and effect any film has done… even better than all of the star wipes I’ve seen on Nickelodeon. Roger Ebert said in his review of the film that you might want to see this film solely on the purpose that there is no other film like this. And he’s right.
Anything you can do Tarsem can do better…except tell a story.
Beer Two
Unfortunately, The Fall fails to have a story that backs up the stunning visuals. Don’t get me wrong, the story is still good. This is more so recognition to the creativity with which the story is given rather than to the story itself. Roy tells the story, but the viewer sees what Alexandria thinks. For example, the Indian is supposed to be a Native American, but Alexandria has not seen anyone like this so she envisions a man from India. What is also creative is that everyone plays dual roles. The African slave is actually the man she sees delivering ice to the hospital, the lead female in the story is actually her nurse, and Roy is the hero. And just like any kid will do, Alexandria finds a way into the story as well.
The problem with this is that the story is good, but it could have been so much better with just a bit more depth. The more intriguing story is what is going on outside of Alexandria’s mind. Roy’s struggle with his injury and Alexandria’s naivety to help her friend unfolds in a much more fulfilling manner. While some will argue that this is the main story, it seems that both stories should have had this equal depth. Then again, what child wants to hear that much depth in a story?
Beer Three
At some point the film seems as if Tarsem is trying to show everyone how talented he is and that the rest of story doesn’t need to be given as much attention. It’s like watching an NBA basketball player that knows they are the only star on the team. If the share of the responsibilities were shared with the others on the team maybe this would have been a more complete contender.
Well-developed story? We talkin’ bout a well-developed story?
Verdict
The Fall is a great film. It’s one of my favorites, but that doesn’t mean it is flawless. In my previous review of Takashi Miike’s Audition I faulted the film for having too much of a good thing in the editing department.The Fall is in the same category with its visuals. They are far and beyond the best any film has put out. Mind-blowing doesn’t even do it justice. It is clear how hard Tarsem and his team worked to make this film what it was.
With that being said, visuals that stunning need a story just as stunning. And no matter how creative this revenge story was told, somewhere it fell short of reaching the expectations of what the scenery had painted. Go see this film. Be amazed and hope that Tarsem can do something nearly as good sometime in the future. Better yet, hope anyone can do something like this again.
Bonus Drinking Game
Take a Drink: when you’re impressed by a camera shot/scene.
Take a Drink: when you are confused by something Alexandria says.
Take a Shot: whenever Alexandria’s interpretation of the story is interrupted.
Remember when you were seven and pretended to fight crime? Some of you may have even acted as detectives trying to solve local mysteries like Encyclopedia Brown. Fast forward eleven years and you will find the Mystery Team, still in the same mindset now as 18 year olds solving crimes for the elderly and small children. The team of three high school outcasts with a motto of “No case too hard, no case too tough” put their claim to the test when a young girl named Brianna asks the boys to solve the murder of her two parents.
Over 8 Million Hits and tons of terrible spoofs.
A Toast
If you grew up seeing College Humor themed videos being posted, then you know that you will find hits and misses in every bit. This is the same with Mystery Team. The good thing about Derrick is that they have three quality comedic writers on their team. Their training at the Upright Citizen’s Brigade shows in the bits they put in the film. Acting out the stereotypes of hobos, high schoolers, and “gentlemen” based on the books we all read as kids is absolutely hysterical. The balance of acting like kids, yet clearly growing up is evolved well and allows for the feeling of a solid, organically grown film.
This is exactly what I thought a gentleman was when I was seven
Second Beer
Although Derrick is a polished comedy group, their filmmaking is not. It may have been the budget, but something had the film looking somewhere between a senior video project in college and a low-budget indie release. The editing is consistent and shows good quality, but there is something that is lacking. This is far from a deal breaker in the film, but it does get noticed from time to time.
Third Beer
As a fan, this one hurts but Aubrey Plaza just didn’t do it for me in this film. On Parks and Recreation, her role as April, the dry, apathetic young girl works for the show, yet, a lot of that is also seen in Mystery Team. Maybe this is because the movie was done a few years before the TV show but it had me feeling that Plaza can only play the same character. She has great comedic talent, but if this is the only character she can play her comedy will soon get filed under the Michael Cera school of comedic acting.
Verdict
Overall Mystery Team works as a witty film, showcasing great comedic performances from the three great minds of Derrick Comedy. Donald Glover just seems like a breakout star that is going to rise past his great TV work on Community and soon carry his own films. I really think he could transition to serious work as well (he was considered for the role of Spiderman in the Marc Webb reboot that is coming out soon).
Mystery Team also benefits from great supporting cameo bits from Bobby Moynihan, Ellie Kemper, and Matt Walsh. Kemper and Moynihan are familiar to Derrick’s bits and Walsh has been a go-to comedy bit actor in films for years now. The film won’t end up in the pantheon of stellar comedy films like Airplaneand Caddy Shack, but it should be recognized as a great effort from an up and coming group of comedians. There are so many talented people in this film that in a few years there is a good chance this film will be looked at as the beginning to a few of their lengthy comedic careers.
Bonus Drinking Game
Take a Drink: every time one of your childhood memories are played out on screen.
Drink a Shot: for every cameo you can recognize.
Take a Drink: for every curse word that is replaced by a word parents used to use around you as a little kid.
I was told to watch (500) Days of Summer from a girl I used to date. She told me that Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s character, Tom, reminded her of me. After reading the synopsis of the film on Wikipedia my initial reaction was short and concise: “Fuck you, [name removed].” But when I found out that the film’s writer, Scott Neustadter, was from the same New Jersey area as myself I figured I had to give it a shot. I’m glad I did.
A Toast
There’s not much to complain about the film. Sure, it falls into the occasional hokey stereotypes of the genre but it doesn’t matter. The minor bad parts are vastly outweighed by incredible acting, vibrant cinematography, a well-written script and a soundtrack that only falls short of reaching the levels ofGarden State in terms of incredibly compiled music. Truth be told, I am a bit biased to the music because of Hall & Oates. My dad had a mustache like Oates in the 80s. I’m pretty sure that he was trying to pull a Talented Mr. Ripley on Oates the next time he came to Atlantic City.
No lie, the resemblance is uncanny.
Anyways, Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt worked so well off one another that while watching this non-linear rollercoaster of a kind-of-but-not-really a relationship you begin to feel for both of them. And as a guy, it’s good to see a film where we aren’t entirely portrayed as the asshole we aren’t ever fully being or the hapless last minute hero none of us will turn out to be. The supporting cast only helps further the story and relationship. Mix this in with the aforementioned film-work and music and you have a film that will serve as a perfect date night movie where both the guy and girl will be happy. Although, you may end up with an argument in regards to where Summer stands in the end and how Tom acts through out the film.
It’s physically impossible to be mad at her. She could run over my dog and I’d feel sympathetic for her.
Verdict
To keep it simple, go see this film. It’s great. It appeals to both genders and breathes fresh air into a stagnant genre. Since this film Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s career has surged and Zooey Deschanel is now starring in a new hit comedy on Fox. After this film its “You Make My Dreams Come True” sequence Marc Webb was offered the Spiderman reboot. This film was one of 2009’s underrated films and should have at least had some more Oscar buzz than it did. I’m not saying it was the best film of that year or anything of that nature, but it is a film that broke a confining mold, elevated careers, and gave guys a movie that didn’t show them as the total asshole in a romantic comedy.
This picture earned Marc Webb one of the hugest Superhero franchises of all time.
And much like Jenny Beckman, all the inspiration I got to see this movie was purely fictional and did not actually represent anyone. Except for her…bitch. And yeah, she was kind of right.
Bonus Drinking Game
Take a Drink: every time the day changes.
Take a Shot: whenever music is discussed.
Chug your Drink: whenever Tom looks like he’s going to kill himself (you may die).
“Ok, I've got ten hours. There's no disturbances. I have to come up with some amazing sh**.”: Our Interview with Emika
My first ever interview with Emika
What was the biggest themes from Dva that you want listeners to pick up on?
“Artistically I wanted to simply express my musician soul. With the first record I was inspired by music technology, and the studio was my instrument. I wanted to prove myself as a capable sound designer. I wanted to create a special sound. Something that was no one else’s. I was inspired by Portishead and Tricky and the dubstep people from Bristol. They all created their own sound and that was what they were known for. I thought that was amazing and wanted to achieve that myself. The first album, I traveled for two years straight. The performance of Emika gave birth to Dva. So at home, or on a plane home I’d record a whole song on the phone. When you interact with your audience and you do interviews and change countries in different times and cultures it’s inspiring. I guess what I’m trying to say is I hung up my sound designer uniform and tried to just let go and be a musician. Just press record and see what comes out…This time it was much more impulsive.”
Was there any themes you deliberately avoided to not sound like your previous album or other artists?
“Actually, I was trying to avoid A&R from my label because they had awful ideas. And I was simply trying to stay faithful to my fans. My fans are very passionate, and mirror me in a sort of way. All my fans would come to me and say, “Please promise us you’re not going to sell out and become a pop star. Please don’t make a synth record. Promise you’ll stay an artist. We really believe in you.” I felt like I had this loyalty to my fans. They are the second half of my project. I create music for people to listen to. I don’t sit at the piano and need to let something out. I very much imagine an audience when I’m writing lyrics or singing. I’m always imagining someone is there to listen. I just try to ignore all the bullshit my label were trying to tell me, because they have other things to take care of. I just try to take care of my people.”
In previous interviews last year you said you were working on Dva as an electronic album before the dance trends took over, abandoning what is popular now. Did you worry about this possibly alienating any fans or potential new fans with Dva?
“It wasn’t really a concern because what I learned from my fans is they love that rebellious, creative side. That’s why they love what I do. Because it’s art music. It’s not industry type of music. I had the feeling that if I stayed loyal to them they’d follow me if it was a classical, techno or a ballad record. I figured that as long as I’m making the song because it feels good, and not because it’s good for my career, I figured they’d feel that passion. It’s not about the style of the music but the soul of the song.
I had a tough year with my label. They had a lot of doubt as me as a producer. They wanted me to work with some guys and be the singer. That’s not what I’m really about. I was kind of horrified of their expectations of me.”
How did you resolve that with the label?
“I reminded them that they are Ninja Tune. Their original philosophy was to have their artists release what they feel is right, and I wasn’t going to give up the fight. Yeah, it was really tough…There’s a lot of downsides to that. A label, they don’t want to be treated like a bank. They want an input into their product. If you force something at a label then it creates a lot of tension. Which is quite difficult to cope with day to day.”
That has to put extra pressure on you.
“Exactly. On the one hand I’m protecting my fans. On the other hand I have my sword [laughs]. So I feel quite torn because Ninja signed me. They kind of made me everything I am now. It’s like child and parents. There comes a time when the children have to make their own choices and go against their parents, maybe. Ninja really took me in when I was young. They raised me. It’s hard to have my own vision and drive it through.”
With Emika receiving high praise from fans and critics alike did you feel any pressure with your sophomore release?
“Not really. Because I have a very inward, soulful approach to my work. I don’t wake up to the outside world until things start to be released. Then, I read reviews and then I really get nervous [laughs]. It’s the first time I consider “the real people” and not this imagined audience in my mind…I’m just really focused on making my music. You have to develop that ability to switch off outside input. Otherwise you just have no real reason to make the music. If you make what you think people want you to make, then what are you making? It becomes really difficult to know what’s right. And then if you’ve done that and get criticized badly, then you’re screwed. You’ve lost your way.
The main difficulty I had was Ninja supporting me as a producer. It’s a big risk. It’s all on me. They didn’t want the risk to be too heavy. So far, it’s ok [laughs].”
While recording Emika you were working a day job. Was being able to record without a day job a big help to the recording process?
“Yeah, it was more amazing this time because I could really focus on it. I was able to immerse myself in connecting with my fans, traveling on the road, learning new skills and pushing myself as an artist because I wasn’t working in the service industry at the same time. I still have a very disciplined approach. That was the pressure I felt. I don’t have a day job. This is my whole life. So the pressure increased somehow. I couldn’t say, “I’m tried from my day job.” It was like, “Ok, I’ve got ten hours. There’s no disturbances. I have to come up with some amazing shit.” When you’re a full-time artist you have no excuse at being good. You can’t really take five years to make a record when that’s all you’re doing [laughs].”
What type of impact do you think your time as an Intern (for Ninja Tune) and Sound Designer in Berlin had on you as a growing musician?
“It had a massive impact. Ninja Tune gave me hope in the beginning to make crazy art music and release it because they already had an audience. Then I gathered my own audience. They gave me a platform to release my own records. It was Coldcut, actually, who took me on as their assistant. They were calling me a female producer before I even knew what that meant. They were always trying to hustle equipment from me and always talk about me being this amazing producer. I was always perplexed by this term. So it was really Coldcut that invested in me.
Then, when I moved to Berlin…I was hearing the same kind of sounds but in this dance music context where everyone is getting down to these freaky sounds. Dance context for sound design really changed my idea and perception of music.”
You had classical music, “shoved down your throat” as a kid. How did electronic music come into the equation and how did you incorporate the two to create your sound?
“Well, when I moved to Bristol I moved there because of Portishead, Tricky and Massive Attack. I was really curious and wanted to see why Bristol produced such unique artists and records. So I moved there and studied music technology. By chance, I met a guy named Pinch. He’s a massive guy that runs the Tectonic Label. He invited me to one of the first dubstep parties in Bristol. He put me on the guest list and told me about the scene. I told him that I had just moved there and that I’m a producer seeing what’s up. I went to the dubstep party and it was like a gateway into another world. I never experienced music like that before. It was so minimal and bassy. I mean real bass. Not all this “brostep.” It’s not very deep. Lots of mid frequencies and really loud. But the early dubstep stuff was heavy dub inspired and the experience was overpowering of bass and sub. I went to a lot of dubstep parties and I couldn’t help but sing. I had these really nice melodies and ideas. It’s kind of the perfect context for a singer. You go somewhere and there’s load of beats playing and you just vibe with it. Dubstep started to feel like my music. I really connected with it. I understood how it was constructed and it was similar to how I was making trip hop beats myself. Then I brought vocals in it. And then I brought my piano in it. I need to sample myself because the piano is my instrument. My thing is melodies, keys and synths. Over a year or two it fused itself. It wasn’t a concept I thought out. It’s just what happens when you’re a musician and open to everything around you. You soak in and everything comes together. When I played those records people like this classical edge, and that’s when I realized what I had. I learned it’s something people enjoy and unique I have to offer. It’s something I love as well. It’s exciting to refresh classical music and bring dub culture into a new dimension. They’re such opposing worlds.”
There’s so many people out there that want to pack up and move somewhere, and you actually did that. What would you say to anyone who is hesitant about taking a big move similar to yours?
“I think that, with me, I was really sick when I finished my degree. I ended up in the hospital. I almost died twice. When I got out of the hospital I just felt like there is no guarantee of tomorrow. I had been in a position where tomorrow wasn’t promised. I could die. It could be the end. I faced that twice in a year. I felt free. Life became incredibly important to me. I was depressive, melancholy and reflective as a kid. I’m a Capricorn. That’s just how we are. Having gone through that experience I felt revitalized because I had nothing to lose. I had already lost everything. From that point on there is only up and the way forward. I think you just have to be the person willing to take risks. Once you take one risk you realize everything carries on. Things are never really that bad. If you have the ability to breath, think and move then you’re cool. Nothing is really ever that terrible. You just have to experiment with risk taking. You can start small then build up. You can maybe go to a city for one day and try to make a friend. See how that goes. Then maybe try going away for a weekend and see how that goes. I think it’s about taking risks on your own and building up confidence. Confidence is not just inside us. You learn it. You have to develop it, and it fades away.”
It’s amazing how quick you can have it and then it goes away. Getting it back can take forever.
“Yeah. I was touring Emika for a year and half. I was building and building my confidence and then for no reason at all I developed stage fright at one point on touring and had to drink half a bottle of vodka before I could perform. I was really concerned. I was like, “Is this how it begins? Is this the life of an alcoholic musician?” Then it becomes drugs. Then it becomes this and I’m going to have to do it because it’s my job.”
How did you overcome that?
“Through my fans. I played a show in Denmark and I played new music and everyone freaked out and everyone loved it. And then I stopped being afraid [laughs]. I have an amazing fan base.”
You stated in previous interviews about how you want to get more women exposed to the world through their music. Would you like to speak on that some more and your goals of the work?
“It’s been a very slow process. I discovered that most women I’ve met in music are incredibly sensitive and gentle. Therefore, quite uncertain of their own direction. I think that it’s going to take a really, really long time before women are able to take what they need. There is technically nothing stopping any woman from being out there…I think it’s equally difficult for men and women. It’s hard for a man to become known. Men don’t have easier access to get known. There’s such fierce competition. It’s challenging for every musician. The difference is women seem to lack vision or belief. Guys seems to go for it more. Maybe they have more ego or connections.
[...]My plan is to start my own label, and release my own music on the label in the future. I hope women gravitate to me organically and I can help be a platform for future women in music…Rather than pushing for it or searching for it, be present. If there is people that feel like they can collaborate in some way, then you just have to be open and available.”
Sort of a safe haven for female artists?
“Yeah, exactly. Creating space to collaborate and for women to be creative. Not imposing all the shit that was imposed on to me…Being able to give more freedom than I was given. Because giving people freedom to create makes amazing music. That doesn’t really happen that often, unfortunately. The label wouldn’t be just women, but at first it would be me, then inspire women. Men too. Anyone who wants to make free shit.
[...]There’s so many artists who care about being on the cover of a magazine. They care about being an amazing DJ or they care about being cool. They don’t have a commitment to art. They kind of have an ambition to be popular today, and those two things are really different. I think it would be good if a label existed just for art and not commerce.”
What aspects of your live shows are you most excited for fans to see on this tour?
“I guess I hope they experience a new side of me as a performer. The difference now is that I love performing. I love performing as much as I like making records. Before I was begrudgingly going on stage because I had to. People wanted to see me. I didn’t necessarily feel comfortable being exposed that way yet. I didn’t study acting and didn’t even have singing lessons until recently. I had no desire to be on stage. I wanted to be in the studio.
[...]I think simplicity is important for art. Simple ideas, motivation and processes. Make a record, play the record, change it a bit if it needs, and put it out.”
To hear more from Emika visit her SoundCloud or at her website."
[EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW] D-Wayne Talks "Project 6", Vibing with Afrojack and Flame Spitting Lambos
Crust Nation: First off, massive congratulations for the recent release of “Project 6”! We’re loving it! What’s it like being an artist and finally getting to release music to your audience that you’ve been working so hard on?
D-Wayne: Thanks guys and thanks for having me! Throughout the start of my career I always chose to release my music on different labels in order to establish a platform which is as broad as possible concerning an audience – but after meeting Afrojack and talking to him about working together more closely it is really satisfying to have a great platform which allows me to release music I enjoy making.
CN: What’s in the water that’s making you and all the Dutch musicians so good at this?! It seems like the Netherlands has the Midas touch! Who are some younger Dutch artists we should be on the lookout for?
D-W: I have no idea haha, I think theres a lot of opportunities for talents to practice their skills in the Netherlands due to the big club scene – and overall (most) dutch people just work really hard I think. As for the talents, I’d say Bobby Rock surely is a guy to watch, but Apster from the Wall [Recordings] family is doing really good as well.
CN: In 2008 you had your first major audience concert. What has changed about you as a performer since then?
D-W: Of course everyone changes as an artist / performer throughout the years – I am never really nervous before a performance and I am still not – the music choice during a set has changed and I think it has become even better. You just gain a lot of experience when you play every weekend, and besides that I am always practicing to improve my skills even more!
CN: Some of your earliest, and continued, support came from fellow Dutch DJ Afrojack. What was it like gaining that support? Was that a moment that made you realize your career is rising to new heights?
D-W: Of course it made me realise I was on the right way, but still it made me realise I have a long long way to go and it made me even more focused on working hard and trying to reach the top, which still is the case today. Afrojack and I have a really good ‘relation’ or ‘vibe’ going on both music wise and personally, which makes it a lot of fun to work together and experiment on new music.
CN: Have you gone on a ride in his flame spitting Lambo yet?
D-W: Haha, we actually went for a ride a few weeks ago and that was really fun. The car is just insane and it’s surely a thing we have in common: we both love cars. I would prefer to buy an Aston Martin instead of a Lamborghini though, if I ever get in the position to choose between those two
CN: We see you’re lacking sleep lately. Have you been able to get any rest this last week?
D-W: I’m actually catching up on sleep as we speak working towards the end of the year which is going to be a crazy schedule again. But working hard and reaching goals inspires me and gives me a lot of energy so it’s all good
CN: What’s on the D-Wayne horizon? What should we be looking out for?
D-W: 2014 is set to be an awesome year – the past few weeks of 24/7 studio time have resulted in great tracks and there’s about 5 things lined up for 2014 already as solo releases. My shows will be more international and bigger, and besides that I am working with quite a few artists right now to work on their album, of which Natali Yura is one, but also a really big international act of which I can’t say the name yet :).
D-Wayne and Natali Yura
CN: Many thanks for answering our questions! We’ll give you the last word. What do you have to say to the audience?
D-W: Thanks for having me, thanks for the support and I hope to see you all soon at one of my shows to get D-wayne’d together!
Welcome to the exciting world of sales, new salespeople! In this highly competitive world you will not only be competing with your newly hired competition, but also seasoned veterans. To be successful you will always need to keep moving, staying on top of the proverbial ball. While all industries, businesses, and companies have different methodologies they employ to approach potential sales, it is also integral to have a base knowledge in your mind. By having pillars of sales knowledge you will be able to maintain a concrete base to take you to wherever you go in whatever sales sector.
Few other types of work can take people across the globe and allow them to meet exciting people on a regular basis. With the right company you can be selling products you believe to clients in parts of the world you never could have imagined traveling to. With the allure of a flexible schedule and lucrative paydays it’s no surprise why you chose to embark on this adventure. But you already know this! It’s time for you to make your first sales. With these pieces of information you will be able to close the deal on the always important first sales of your career.
5. Ask Questions; Always Be Listening
The key to learning and growing in anything is to always ask questions and listen. In sales, it goes a level deeper. Not only will you be listening and learning from the successful sales professionals that have come before you, you also need to be listening and learning from your clients so that you can meet their needs. Without the ability to listen to your clients, you run a slim chance of providing them the service that makes a business relationship last.
As The Sales Hunter Mark Hunter points out that the most vital asset to a person’s sales career is, “…their ability to question, listen and become keenly focused on the desired outcomes of the customer.” Partner this with your thirst for learning from the talented sales professionals around you and you are on your way to achieving your first bit of sales success.
4. Have Smart Work Ethic
One of the first pieces of advice you will get from your superiors is to outwork the competition. This doesn’t mean having to work 20 hour work days and skip nights with family and friends all the time. That might happen on occasion, but the smart salesperson knows how to work hard and efficiently while maintaining a personal life as well.
Staying up on the latest news and trends in your industry is vital to success. Not only will this provide you with the confidence that you are an authority in your sector, it will also ensure that you are ready to answer any question a client or potential sale may have for you.
Being able to inform instead of convince is what a true salesperson does. With proper research, you won’t have to sell your product or service. You already have done that by providing your knowledge of the industry and your product. Doing your due diligence will show everyone that you are a true sales professional.
3. What Works For Them May Not Work For You
Just because one approach works for one person does not mean you should adapt it to your approach. Even within the same office, your colleague may have a dynamic way of closing a tough sell you like. Maybe you love their ability to endear themselves to a potential client during a cold call that you are having trouble with. Their tactics may work for you, but sometimes you will fall short of your expectations. Trial and error can be good, but in sales you may not have that time to try it all out. Part of doing hard work is knowing who you are and what you can use within yourself to succeed.
As sales guru Dan Waldschmidt echoes the sentiments of hard work over all else. He suggests that instead of looking for a path you create your own. Remember that, “Even if what you see is good for someone else, that doesn’t mean it is going to work for you. Times change. Tactics change. People change.”
2. The Phone Is Your Friend
Sure, the telephone is an antiquated way of communicating in the rapidly advancing modern era. However, when so many are emailing and texting to engage clients, the personal touch of a phone call begins to appear that much more important. You have to gauge your clients to see if this is an approach they prefer. If they do like this you could be showing them an extra level of attention and care that may not be coming through an electronic message.
Another advantage of using the phone is the potential for an immediate contact with whom you are trying to engage. You may get held back by the gatekeepers within their respective offices but a friendly persistence is more likely to result in some progress that a cold email might not get you.
1. Make Your Clients Trust You
Trust is integral in any relationship. Whether it is dating or sales, if your partner doesn’t trust you the relationship most likely won’t last long. In sales there are many ways you should be mindful of when it comes to establishing that deep rapport. Price integrity is key. Providing your client with a fair price structure will let them know you care about their business beyond their first purchase. This shows that you respect your client and your word has honor behind it. Remember, you aren’t just selling your product and services. You are selling yourself as well.
By selling yourself, you are showing the true value of your brand as a whole. You have now sold yourself as the go-to person your client will be seeking out for questions and new sales. Now all you have to do is live up to your word.
[EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW] Natali Yura Talks to Crust Nation About 2014 Being Her Year, Working with D-Wayne
Crust Nation: Thanks for taking time to talk with us, Natali! Massive congratulations on the “Scream for Love” success so far, cracking two Billboard charts over the summer! What’s it feel like seeing the positive reception and hearing all these killer remixes of your track?
Natali Yura: It shows me I’m on the right track and gives me energy to work even harder! I understand that I’m only starting my journey, but I am very happy and grateful that the start has been so positive!!!
CN: If you could pick one DJ/Producer you’d want to give “Scream for Love” a remix who would you pick?
NY: All the DJs I wanted made their remixes, and all the remixes are very different! Thank you so much for appreciating the song and supporting it on your site.
CN: You’ve said “Scream for Love” is about that inner scream for love that takes you to a higher being and loneliness. Was this inspired from a real life experience or more of a feeling we all encounter at some point?
NY: I think that all people are lonely but not everyone wants to admit that to himself, but it so happens that we come into this world alone and we leave it alone! But actually in my case it’s not about this. I’m still too young to meditate on eternity! The vocals I brought came from a feeling, but I don’t know if Angelika (Vee, co-writer of “Scream For Love”) was directly inspired by an event in her life. Songs are usually the child of memories and feelings.
CN: You’ve been in the studio lately with D-Wayne again. Can you give us an idea of what we can expect from you two?
D-Wayne and Natali Yura
NY: D-wayne is a super talented musician, and I’m glad to be working with him. You can expect some heat from us soon. He’s very easy to work with, I can’t wait to hit the studio and make a great record with him. Shout out to Dwayne and Wall Records, check out his new single “Crackle” with Yves V, its turned up.
CN: You have been recording in Paris and Tokyo for the album. What other locations would you like to visit while recording in the future?
NY: The spots are changing all the time, I don’t know where life will find us next, everything happens spontaneously, but the location certainly affects what we’re doing. Paris and Tokyo were very fun. I love recording in London too, that’s where we cut “Scream For Love.”
CN: What does 2014 mean to you?
NY: It will be my year and not only cause I’m a horse :))) It’s because when you really believe in something, it always comes true!!! That’s what it means to me.
CN: Natali, thank you again for taking some time with us. What would you like to say to everyone out there?
NY: I really want everyone to be happy! Life is very short and we can’t always control the circumstances, but our attitude depends on us. So let’s be happy & be good to each other!!! Peace to everyone at Crust Nation, I see you guys! 2014 is the year for all of us – a new generation coming up to take its rightful place in culture!!! Much love my friends.
The long dreamt-of days of Internet television has become a near reality thanks to the latest deal between the Disney cable network and Dish. After the all-too-common stalemate between network and cable provider a deal was reached to continue the agreement between the two. This time, one new addition was added to the agreement that is sure to please subscribers: Internet TV is finally coming.
Not only are subscribers happy to see the end of commercials detailing the latest cable drama impasse, but they are now excited to see the antiquated cable system finally take steps in updating its platforms to meet the demands of the modern online era. With Internet TV taking a significant leap forward it is time for all of us avid television viewers to get caught to speed as to what will be happening in the coming months and years.
Dish Network’s Immediate Impact
Without a doubt, Dish is the current leader in the Internet TV industry, and with a massive player in Disney, Dish has secured one of the most important providers of content around. What makes the deal that much more significant is the inclusion of sports giant ESPN in the package. While family-friendly programming on Disney and ABC’s varied programming are in demand it is sports that will be the major get for Dish’s first deal. Now fans will be able to stream their favorite games online, a long sought after feature for all die hard sports fans. As CNET elaborated, “[The deal] netted the most important network for live-TV demand: the king of live sports, ESPN.”
With one deal in place, Dish now has the template to offer its service to other major players. If a sacrifice of its AutoHop ad-skipping feature is all that is in the way, expect more deals to happen in the future. Dish’s CCO Dave Schull spoke on Dish’s next plans, “Every deal is different, but certainly there are parameters we agreed to that will help us define how we approach the OTT [over-the-top] business.” Where they will go next remains to be seen, but with Disney on board momentum is in Dish’s favor.
However, fans should not be too excited just yet. Schull went on to explain, “Dish wants to broker deals with other major cable channels before it starts selling a live-TV streaming service.” This is sure to irk many clamoring for Internet television to arrive as soon as possible, but it also is a positive sign that Dish wants to ensure that this is launched properly the first time around.
The TV Times Are Changing
With this deal being reached, the days of wishing for Internet television will begin to become conversations, instead, about how best to implement an internet TV system. So far, indications suggest that subscribers will still be required to order bundled packages to appease the networks. While the dream of buying individual channels may not happen right away, the goal seems much more attainable at this time. Open internet TV is on the horizon.
As Dish begins to secure more deals, other providers are sure to be scrambling to do the same. In light of the recently announced Time Warner/Comcast merger, the public is sure to be happy about seeing new options becoming available. We may still be a bit away from a new order in the industry, but the next few years will be exciting to watch unfold.
What The Competition May Do
Dish was far from the first to make attempts at this service. Apple has been rumored to be in the mix for over five years at this point. While there has been some growth in the form of their Apple TV not much else has been achieved at this time. With Dish taking the clear lead the talks and rumors from Apple may finally come to fruition. Another interesting potential player could be Amazon.
While out of the industry currently, Amazon had been exploring its own similar service at the beginning of this year. A deal like this might re-ignite its interest in the venture. Google is another name that most expect to make strides as well. As it begins to further distribute its Google Fiber services, an Internet television service could put it firmly in the lead. Then, of course, there’s the streaming video juggernaut that is Netflix.
Sony and Verizon are known to have plans in place, while the others are mostly conjecture at this point. Sony has been stating that a cloud-based Internet television service will be available this year. Not much more is known than that it will combine live programming with the popular DVR and on-demand features.
As for Verizon, Bloomberg wrote “Verizon, armed with the online-video technology it acquired from Intel, is also considering a national online-TV service over its mobile-phone network or its landline Internet network.” Everything is guesswork until more direct action is taken, but it is clear that exciting things are on the internet streaming video horizon.
The American workplace is a thriving, bustling space where the water cooler buffalos congregate during short breaks of the increasingly long work day. Many are confined to cubicles where interaction is minimal and optimization is ideal. Being put into a limited space does indeed promote working, but not much else.
The expansion of new ideas and approaches has been generally slow to nonexistent in the typical American workplace. Some countries in Europe, mainly the U.K., are beginning to adopt more American styles of work. Yet countries like France are still holding strong to laws capping work hours (although most French workers insist that they work more than that). However, with companies such as Google, Microsoft, and other forward thinking brands applying foreign, employee-friendly strategies to their offices across the globe, the times might be changing. Companies are beginning to promote healthy lifestyles and happiness in and out of the office to create a more positive life for their employees.
Consequently, companies that promote health, trust, and individual work ethics over the bottom dollar are starting to see increases in employee happiness and their brand’s profit. While there are countless features the U.S. should adopt, gender equality being of the utmost importance, today we focus on what can produce a happier employee and office.
1. Stress-Reducing Measures
In America, stress tends to go hand in hand with most workplaces. Whether it be stress from overworking, never knowing when you may lose your job, or countless other issues, many are left walking on egg shells in the office. While workplace stress is far from exclusive to U.S. workplaces, the growing amount of stress on American workers is startling. In a post-recession era when many are just happy to have a job, some companies are mandating or heavily suggesting that going beyond the “required” hours is what makes a person a part of the team. While the company may fare better from their employees’ extra work, where does that leave the individual?
This, partnered with issues such as income protection, make many feel the only way to succeed is to trudge through it all. As the years go by many Americans are living to work rather than working to live. One country we can take an example from is the Netherlands, where an employee is guaranteed 70% of their wage for two years if they are sick. Wouldn’t you be more inclined to stay with a company that took care of you when you were in need?
2. An Ability To Balance Work With Home Life
A main cause of stress in the U.S. workplace is a lack of blurring work and personal lives. In the era of social media and longer working days the desire to get away from work life is ideal to countless members of the work force. In many American workplaces, employees have to earn their vacation days. In most European countries, employees are given four to six weeks paid vacation per year by their employer, including some countries where taking a month-long vacation in the summer is an annual occurrence. In the U.S. some jobs start employees with zero to seven days a year of paid vacation.
Pair this with most companies doing little to nothing in promoting work/personal life balance and it should come as no surprise why some of the employees are burning out. One example to consider is Microsoft’s Working Parent Policy that insures the entire family up to age 14 while actively promoting a balance in personal and professional life.
3. Open Office Layouts
A mainstay in most European offices is growing in the U.S. While there are some detractors, the trend is catching on in America as large companies like Google are on board with the plan. The idea of no offices or assigned desks may make the lifelong American employee feel uncomfortable at first. However, proponents of open offices swear by its benefits outweighing the potential drawbacks.
With easier access to superiors, many employees cite transparency as one of the strongest points of open office life. Furthermore, one American now working in Denmark praises its equality:
The equality here is something I have never experienced. Even in the open offices I have worked in before, the Boss would sit behind their personal heavy desk, looking out on their employees. This new way of coming to work allows for a free flow of creativity and strategy I’ve never experienced before, and makes us all feel more involved with the company.
4. Flexible Hours And Telecommuting
Let’s face it; many of us are not 9 to 5ers, or its similar working hours, by nature. In compliance with most offices we adjust and eventually adapt it into our lives. A concrete time for arrival might work for many companies, but have they tried other approaches? Why do certain departments need to be at 9am when their business doesn’t pick up until noon when their west coast counterparts are just getting in to work? Many are starting to see that flexible hours allow employees to come in at when they think is best while enhancing their business.
Another feature to consider is telecommuting. On a day when an employee isn’t feeling at their optimal health, or maybe they just put in an incredibly long couple of work days, some companies believe the employee deserves a working day at home. Like flexible hours, these features only succeed with trustworthy employees and a company that won’t frown upon an employee for taking a working day off from the office.
5. Emphasize Healthy Lifestyles Over Killing Pain
In most U.S. workplaces you will find an assortment of Tylenol, Ibuprofen and other over the counter medicines aimed to take the pain away. Yet, our offices are usually devoid of anything promoting healthier lifestyles besides the mandated workplace safety signs. In many foreign office spaces you are more likely to find healthy snacks, a workplace that encourages short breaks from work, and sometimes even paid lunches.
Sure, killing the pain is great to get through the work day, but does it help in the long term? While it’s not guaranteed to work, these measures can lead to an improved physical and mental state for employees. Imagine how productive a person can be with a free healthy meal provided to them every day, as opposed to what they go through now on most usual days.
6. Praise More Than the Workaholics
Hard workers should never be penalized, but they should not be praised for working to death either. As employees are dying from overworking in many Asian countries, the U.S. needs to be aware of its similar work culture. While the workaholic mentality is becoming synonymous with the American worker, the idea should be questioned immediately. It is possible that this is just an American way or work life, but it could very well be another result of our job security fears.
This isn’t to suggest that the hard working shouldn’t receive credit, but sometimes the best worker is the smartest, not the hardest, worker. A manager that can step back and recognize that each worker has a different approach to work could be the most successful. Recognizing and utilizing your workers at an optimal efficiency will most likely ensure a happier employee and a more productive output from everyone on the team.
